HARJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellants Harjit Singh and Karambir Singh have challenged the judgement of conviction and sentence passed by the trial Court whereunder they were convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC and were sentenced to undergo life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.500/- and in default of payment of fine, to further undergo 3 months rigorous imprisonment.

(2.) The brief case of the prosecution is reflected in the statement suffered by PW8 Gulzar Singh before PW11 SI Anokh Singh. The statement of PW8 before PW11 culminated in registration of the first information report. PW8 Gulzar Singh has stated in his statement that on 27.9.1999, at about 7.00 p.m. when he alongwith Gurmej Singh S/o Pritam Singh was proceeding towards grain market on their scooter, he found accused Karambir Singh @ Babbu, accused Gora @ Amarbir Singh (since deceased) and accused Harjit Singh who were armed with knives stabbing Rann Singh (since deceased) with their respective knives near the sugarcane field of Tarlok Singh. At that point of time, PW9 Gurmej Singh son of Gurdeep Singh who came on a cycle got down therefrom. Through the light of scooter PW8 witnessed accused Karambir Singh delivering blows with his knife on the right side of neck, left shoulder and middle of back of Rann Singh; accused Gora delivering knife blow on the chest of Rann Singh and accused Harjit Singh attacking Rann Singh with his knife on the left side of his nose and left side abdomen. PW9 Gurmej Singh came forward after throwing his cycle. Accused Karambir Singh stabbed him with his knife on the left side of the neck. Rann Singh succumbed to the injuries on the way to the hospital. It was further submitted by PW8 in his statement that on 3.10.1998 proceedings under Section 107/151 Cr.P.C. were initiated by Rann Singh against accused Harjit Singh and Gora as regards harvesting the paddy first in point of time with Combine Harvestor.

(3.) PW8 supported his version in the first information report. PW9 who sustained injury in the occurrence also supported the case of the prosecution.